How to Change Your Echo Dot’s Color

The Echo Dot is Amazon’s popular smart speaker that allows you to access Alexa, Amazon’s voice-activated virtual assistant. With its compact design and affordable price, the Echo Dot is perfect for placing in any room of your home.

One unique design feature of the Echo Dot is its light ring located on the top outer edge of the device. The color and motion of this LED light ring indicates the status of your Echo Dot. For example, when Alexa is listening to your request, the light ring turns blue and a cyan wedge rotates around it. Or when you have a new notification, the light ring pulses yellow.

While you cannot manually change the color of the Echo Dot’s light ring, you can influence which colors appear by using certain features and voice commands.

Understanding the Echo Dot’s Light Ring Colors

Here is an overview of the various light ring colors and what they signify:

  • Blue and cyan: The blue light with a rotating cyan wedge indicates Alexa is listening and processing your voice request.
  • Yellow: A pulsing yellow light means you have a new notification such as a message or reminder.
  • Red: The red light shows the microphone is muted so Alexa cannot hear your requests.
  • Orange: An orange light signifies the Echo Dot is connecting to your WiFi network, especially during initial setup.
  • Green: A pulsing or spinning green light means there is an incoming call on your Echo Dot or you are already on a call.
  • White: The white light displays when you manually adjust the volume. A spinning white light indicates Alexa Guard is in Away Mode.
  • Purple: A brief purple light means Do Not Disturb mode is enabled. A persistent purple light during setup means there’s an issue connecting to WiFi.

Using Alexa Voice Commands

While you can’t choose a specific color, you can prompt your Echo Dot to display certain colors by using Alexa voice commands and features that correspond to those colors.

Here are some voice commands you can try:

  • “Alexa, delete all my notifications” (causes yellow light)
  • “Alexa, mute” (displays red light)
  • “Alexa, set a reminder for 8pm” (will pulse yellow at 8pm)
  • “Alexa, answer call” (makes green light appear)

You can also influence the color by manually adjusting device settings:

  • Press the microphone mute button (red light)
  • Enable Do Not Disturb in app settings (purple light)
  • Turn volume dial on Echo Dot (white light)

So while you can’t directly choose a color, you can prompt Alexa to display the color you want by using features tied to those colors.

Using Skills to Change Colors

There are some third-party Alexa skills you can enable that offer color-changing capabilities:

RGB Controller: This skill allows you to customize the color of RGB light bulbs by specifying exact RGB values. You can create lighting scenes and color loops.

Color Changer: With this skill you can request specific colors by name, such as “Alexa, ask Color Changer to set the lights blue.” It’s compatible with Philips Hue and LIFX bulbs.

So if you want more granular control over bulb colors, enable one of these skills. Just remember they only work with compatible RGB bulbs, not the Echo Dot itself.

Pairing With Color-Changing Accessories

If you wish to add some colorful flair to your Alexa setup, consider pairing your Echo Dot with color-changing smart home accessories.

Philips Hue: These popular WiFi-enabled bulbs can display up to 16 million colors. Use Alexa voice controls or the Philips Hue app to change colors.

Echo Glow: This Alexa-powered spherical accent light can shine in millions of colors. Use touch controls or Alexa voice commands to adjust brightness and colors.

Light strips: Smart LED light strips from brands like Govee and Philips Hue can add decorative lighting with Alexa voice control. Attach to back of furniture or under cabinets.

So while you can’t change the native color of the Echo Dot light ring itself, by pairing your device with colorful smart bulbs and lights, you can transform the ambiance of the room with Alexa.

Troubleshooting Echo Dot Light Ring Issues

Sometimes you may experience problems with light ring malfunctions or unwanted colors appearing. Here is some troubleshooting advice:

  • Solid red light won’t turn off? Make sure the physical microphone mute button is not depressed. Toggle it on/off.
  • Persistent orange light? Your Echo Dot is having issues connecting to WiFi. Reboot router and Echo Dot. Re-run WiFi setup.
  • Light ring not changing colors? Make sure Do Not Disturb mode is disabled in the Alexa app settings. Also check app notifications settings.
  • Want to disable yellow notification light? Toggle off notifications in the Alexa app settings.

If issues persist, you may need to contact Amazon Customer Service for further troubleshooting help.

Customizing Your Echo Dot

While you cannot change the native light ring colors, you can still customize the look of your Echo Dot smart speaker:

  • Use skins: Vinyl skins from brands like Skinit and MightySkins wrap around the exterior to give it a new stylish look.
  • Choose alternate shells: Companies like Ninety7 offer alternate shells for the Echo Dot in various colors and finishes like bamboo and marble.
  • Pick accessories: Stands, wall mounts, and outlets plates from Amazon allow you to better integrate your Echo Dot into your home’s decor.

So explore the many ways to customize your Echo Dot even if you can’t change the original light ring.

Voice-Activated Fun

The Echo Dot light ring colors provide visual cues to Alexa’s current state. While the colors are not manually adjustable, you can prompt certain colors to appear using Alexa commands and features. For more home entertainment fun, also try these Alexa commands:

  • “Alexa, play ’80s music”
  • “Alexa, tell me a joke”
  • “Alexa, what’s the weather this weekend?”

The Echo Dot is voice-controlled smart home hub. Use it to its full potential by continually exploring new skills and capabilities. The light ring colors will reflect Alexa’s responses and notifications.

So dive in and start telling Alexa what to do! Just look for the light ring to flash, spin, and pulse in reaction as virtual assistant handles your requests.